Reflections on a Consistent Presence

SMOR. It's a word that means diddlysquat to some folks and means smoky-flavored sticky treats to others. To those of us at Siloam it means a Saturday full of service, education and fun at an apartment complex off Murfreesboro Road. And November 7th, 2009 may just win the record for "most gorgeous SMOR weather." What a beautiful Fall day we had!

Siloam Medical OutReach (SMOR) was actually birthed out of the vision of a few Vanderbilt medical students in 2005. Partnering with a local Latino church that already had a presence in the area, Vanderbilt's Medical Campus Outreach hosted a two-week medical mission trip of sorts for the residents of the apartments. Since that summer, Siloam has organized a bi-annual clinic and outreach day at this same location. We now join with volunteers from all over the city - including various schools and churches - to provide care for those who have limited access to medical care and health education.

SMOR is a place where I'm pulled out of the comfort of Siloam's four beautiful walls into the harsh reality of many of our patients' lives...including the young mother who is going blind and doesn't know why, the father who waited by the road half the day but wasn't picked up for work, the grandfather who awoke the night before with a cockroach crawling into his ear, the schizophrenic nephew whose family doesn't know where to turn for help.

I'd be lying if I told you that we "fixed" all these people by spending a day with them. However, now that I've been at it (with so many others) for 4 years, I've seen the way that our consistent presence in this place has connected these patients not only to the available resources in their own community but also to the Source of healing Himself--Jesus Christ. God's model has never been, "I'll help you once you successfully get yourself to me." Instead, He comes to us in our places of desperate need and offers us, not a quick fix, but Himself.

And what better way to respond to God's pursuing heart than to go out - to reflect and to share the love of Christ on a lovely November day called SMOR.

Jina Hawk, RN, MSN, CFNP
Staff Nurse Practitioner

Siloam Medical OutReach, Nov. 7

Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who gave their Saturday and their love to the residents of the Clairmont Apartments.

Intern Experience

Interning at Siloam has been one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve been blessed with so far. Working with refugees every Monday gives me the chance to work with a population that I never would have otherwise encountered. These patients are always smiling, always gracious, and by far much more patient than I know I would be in their same situation. My favorite times are getting to just sit and color with the kids, but I also love hearing all the different stories from the interpreters. The staff at Siloam as well as all of the case workers and medical interpreters never cease to amaze me with their dedication to the refugees – they truly deeply care for these people in making sure that everything, not just their medical needs, are taken care of. I leave Siloam every week with a huge sense of pride that I get to be a part of such an amazing place.

Temple Barkate

Refugee Hospitality Intern

Vanderbilt University Junior

Sweet Sisters in Slings!

A Volunteer's Prayer

In the Tuesday afternoon prayer circle, a volunteer offered this prayer while fighting back tears, “God, thank you for the many blessings you have given me in my life, but especially for my Siloam family.”

Kate Tanis
Director of Volunteer Services

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This month has been designated as domestic violence prevention month. Statistics show that one in three women will be abused in her lifetime. There are no boundaries for domestic violence -- it impacts people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, patients at Siloam are no exception. We have seen the devastating impacts of physical and emotional abuse within the home.

Here are some signs of a dangerous personality:
· Jealousy -- extremely possessive, calls constantly, or visits unexpectedly
· Unrealistic expectations -- expects you to be the perfect woman and meet his needs every time
· Isolation -- tries to cut you off from family and friends
· Blames others for feelings -- he says, “You’re hurting me by not doing what I’m telling you.”
· Verbal Abuse -- constantly criticizes you or says cruel things; degrades, curses, calls you ugly names
· Rigid gender roles -- expects you to serve, obey and remain at home
· Sudden mood swings -- switches from sweet and loving to explosively violent in a matter of minutes
· Threats of violence -- makes statements such as, “I’ll break your neck,” then says “I didn’t really mean it.”

If you suspect that you are in a violent relationship or know someone who is, there are several places in Nashville to get help. Call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233. They will be able to assist you in locating appropriate agencies to offer safe, temporary housing, counseling, and legal support. Also, talk to your primary care provider for additional information and support.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” -- Psalm 32:7 NIV

Edie Curtis, BSW
Social Work Intern

Wordless Wednesday